Critical Thinking

Clarity

A gateway standard and relevant to all others. If a statement or question is unclear, you cannot determine whether it is accurate, relevant, or logical.

Accuracy

Addresses the validity of the information at hand. Is it factually true? Does the information represent something in accordance with reality?

Precision

Helps refine information. A statement such as, “It is so hot outside today,” does not reveal the actual temperature. Depending on the situation and person, “hot” can mean a wide variety of different temperatures. In this case, detail equals ……

Relevance

Evaluates which parts of a claim, scenario, or problem are most related to the issue at hand. Can help reduce large quantities of information and distill complexity.

Depth

Addresses the complexities of an issue. Ensures deeper layers of information, assumptions, and questions are addressed. Thinking becomes more productive when you can recognize complicated questions or problems and learn to address each area of complexity within them.

Breadth

Addresses various interpretations of an issue, including other points of view, the concepts involved, and implications to consider.

Logic

When the combination of thoughts is mutually supporting and makes sense in combination, the thinking is “logical.” When the combination is not mutually supporting and is contradictory in some sense, or does not “make sense,” the combination is not logical.

Significance

Which information is the most important? Identifying the most important pieces of an argument or issue can help you parse through large quantities of information and retain only those items meaningful to the decision at hand.

Fairness

A “gut check.” We think about our thinking in terms of fairness to ensure we avoid personal interests, ego, and unjustified assumptions.

Distrust

Don’t trust the leader/change

Uncertainty

Don’t know what will happen

Self-Interest

Change may negatively affect me

Different Perception / No felt need

I don’t think we need to change

Over-Determination

Resistance from feeling there is too much control/change imposed

Refreeze

Leaders must ensure they stay engaged

Forming =

Director

Storming =

Coach

Norming =

Collaborator

Performing =

Visionary

D.I.M.E

Diplomatic, Informational, Military, Economic

NSS

National Security Strategy

NDS

National Defense Strategy

NMS

National Military Strategy

Who creates NSS?

President (ENDS - the what)

Who creates NDS?

The Secretary of War (WAYS - How)

Who creates NMS?

Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff (MEANS - Resources)

D.I.M.E is…

The instrument of national power to advance national interests.

What are the 3 levels of Warfare?

Strategic, Operational, Tactical

War is an…

instrument of policy

How is success measured in war?

If the policy is achieved

Competition Continuum

Constantly thinking about how our adversaries are influencing the environment we are operating in.

What is the role of airpower

The ability to project military power through control land exploitation in, from, and through the air.

USAF Core Functions (F22)

Air Superiority

USAF Core Functions (B2)

Global Precision Attack

USAF Core Functions (C17)

Rapid Global Mobility

USAF Core Functions (U2)

Global Intelligence, Surveillance, and Recon (ISR)

USAF Core Functions (AWACS)

Command and Control

USSF Core and Enterprise Functions

1. Space Control

2. Global Mission Operations

3. Space Access

4. Enterprise

What is space control?

Warfare, warfare, warfare

What is global mission operations?

Watching the globe (GPS)

What is space access?

Launch into space

What is enterprise?

Administration applied to all other functions

USAF Core Functions (All)

1. Air Superiority

2. Global Precision Attack

3. Rapid Global Mobility

4. Global Intelligence, Surveillance, Recon (ISR)

5. Command and Control

What are the steps for JPP?

1. Planning Initiation

2. Mission Analysis

3. COA Development

4. COA Analysis and Wargaming

5. COA Comparison

6. COA Approval

7. Plan or order development

What is the most important step in JPP?

Mission Analysis. What is the Commander’s intent (END STATE)

COA Development Steps (DFACS)

1. Distinguishable

2. Feasible

3. Acceptable

4. Complete

5. Suitable

What methods are used to evaluate COAs?

1. Seminar

2. Matrix

3. Computer Assisted

4. Red Teaming

AFFORGEN Principles:

1. Readiness

2. Predictability

3. Sustainability